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Judge: Fired teacher offered students extra credit in return for cash donations
The fundraiser received six donations totaling $140, and an administrative judge ruled her conduct was job-related misconduct.
- On May 29, 2026, the Clinton Community School District fired Stephanie Mullaley for violating district ethics policy by offering high school students extra credit in exchange for cash donations to her personal GoFundMe account.
- Mullaley created a GoFundMe page targeting $1,800, writing that funds would cover "a unique opportunity to travel to Ecuador" including "transportation, including flights, buses, and boats, food and hotel accommodations."
- After promising extra credit, Mullaley received $140 through six donations ranging from $5 to $50, as students reported feeling pressured to contribute to her account.
- Administrative Law Judge Duane Golden denied Mullaley's request for unemployment benefits, ruling that her conduct amounted to job-related misconduct and demonstrated a "willful or wanton disregard" of the school district's interests.
- Golden concluded the teacher had been "using her position as a teacher to pressure students to donate funds," rendering her ineligible for state benefits due to ethics policy violations.
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19 Articles
19 Articles
ProtothemaReposted by 
gazzetta.gr
gazzetta.grIowa teacher appears to have been fired after it was discovered she was asking her students to donate to staff on GoFundMe, offering them extra points
·Marousi, Greece
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Syracuse NY+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Iowa teacher fired after offering extra credit in exchange for donations to trip
An Iowa substitute teacher who offered students extra credit for donating to her personal GoFundMe page to fund a trip to Ecuador was fired as a result.
·New York, United States
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Stephanie Mullaley was fired on 29 May for an alleged violation of district ethics standards.
·Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 33%
C 40%
R 27%
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